GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The last time Andrew Panzarella scored a goal, Washington, D.C., wasn't even our nation's capital. That's a bit of a stretch, of course.

The junior defenseman-turned-wing from Washington, D.C., scored his first college goal for UND Saturday night in his 60th collegiate game.

Panzarella's first-period goal helped set the tone for UND's 4-2 nonconference victory over Bemidji State that stretched UND's unbeaten streak to a season-best nine games (8-0-1).

It's the school's longest since a 15-game streak (14-0-1) in 2011.

Panzarella tipped a centering pass from Mark McMillian through the legs of BSU goalie Andrew Walsh at 7:22 of the first period to stake UND to a 2-0 lead and end his goal drought.

When asked how it felt to get his first goal, Panzarella had one word: "Relief,'' he said. Then he added, "That's all that it is. It's been a long-time coming. It couldn't have been any easier, either. I was just driving the net and Mark put it right on my tape. I don't think I even moved my stick. That was awesome.''

His goal followed a redirection by Connor Gaarder at 6:27 that opened the scoring. Gaarder tipped a backhand pass by linemate Stephane Pattyn past Walsh for his first goal in eight games and his third of the season.

Derek Rodwell moved the puck from his backhand to forehand to score on a strong rush off left wing at 1:13 of the second period to make it 3-1.

Rodwell's goal was his fourth this season in the 13 games he's been in the lineup.

Five minutes later, Michael Parks scored his sixth career wraparound goal when he circled the net to stuff in his sixth goal of the season inside the far post before Walsh could cover it to make it 4-1.

That was enough to down the Beavers, who played UND to a 1-1 overtime tie Friday night in Bemidji.

Corey Ward (his 14th) and Markus Gerbrandt (his 12) scored for the Beavers, who dropped to 7-12-7 overall while UND improved to 12-7-3.

Ten different players figured in the scoring for UND, led by MacMillan with two assists, the only player with multiple points.

UND coach Dave Hakstol said, "That's kind of the calling card of this team. Anytime we've had good nights, we've always had guys chipping in from different areas. That's not something that's off the charts.''

Panzarella, who has been used both on defense and at wing this year, said he couldn't remember the details of the last goal he had scored.

"No,'' he said. "It's been too long. It was in juniors some time. I had a couple of goals in juniors.''

Panzarella seemed more pleased that he contributed to a win.

"It feels good to win like this, and keep going on this little run we've had. Everyone's playing well.''

Hakstol said that Panzarella is popular, well-respected player in the lockeroom.

"So yes,'' Hakstol said. "it's a lift to the bench (when he scores.)''

Rodwell, a senior who was named the game's first star by the media, wasn't a regular in the lineup early in the season.

"It's a combination of his play, his confidence and the opportunities we're giving him,'' Hakstol said. "We didn't have him in the lineup the first 4, 5, 6 games. He came in, and we couldn't take him out. That's a real credit to him.''

UND outshot the Beavers 33-17 and help BSU to just three shots in the scoreless third period while holding the 4-2 lead. It took BSU more than 11 minutes to get its first shot on goal in the third period.

A sellout of 11,908 was on hand to see UND continue on a roll heading into an important National Collegiate Hockey Conference battle at Denver University next weekend. UND and the Pioneers are tied for second place in the NCHC, just two points behind first-place St. Cloud State.

Zane Gothberg finished with 15 saves for UND while Walsh had 29 for the Beavers.

UND notes: Freshman right wing Luke Johnson led UND with seven shots on goal but was the only UND right wing not to score a goal as Rodwell, Parks and Panzarella all did off right wing ... UND captain/defenseman Dillon Simpson led his team with six blocked shots while BSU captain Matt Prapavessis blocked six for the Beavers from his defensive spot ... UND was 0-5 on the power play, BSU 1-4 ... Freshman defenseman Paul LaDue was a plus-3 in plus/minus ratings to lead UND ... Former UND recruit Danny Mattson was a minus 3 to top his team on the negative side ... Rocco Grimaldi's 8-game point streak came to an end ... Junior defenseman Nick Mattson played in his 100th career game ... UND is 26-2-3 all-time vs, the Beavers.

Virg Foss covered UND hockey for 35 seasons for the Grand Forks Herald until his retirement in 2005. He now reports on UND home games exclusively for UNDsports.com.